When Caesar was besieging Corfinium, Domitius, who was confined in the city by the blockade, ordered one of his slaves, who was likewise his physician, to give him poison. Observing his reluctance, he said: “Why do you hesitate, as though this matter were wholly in your own power; I am asking for death, but I have my sword.” Whereupon the slave assented, and gave him a concoction to drink that was harmless. When Domitius had fallen asleep because of it, the slave went to his master’s son, and said: “Have me put under guard until you discover from the outcome whether I have given your father poison.” Domitius did not die, and Caesar saved his life but his life had first been saved by a slave.